Armenia Police Chief Says He Didn’t Know He was Dismissed from his Post

The Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) adopted a decision at its board meeting on Monday to dismiss RA Police Chief Alik Sargsyan from his post. Local daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”) reported that it contacted Sargsyan personally to confirm the news; however, the police chief said he knew about neither the dismissal nor reports of his being appointed to a new position.

Note, according to local media reports, Alik Sargsyan is to be appointed the position of Deputy Chief of RA President’s Staff, while the position of RA Police Chief is to be awarded to RA Deputy Minister of Defense Vladimir Gasparyan (previously the Chief of RA Military Police).

Recall, the position of Deputy Chief of RA President’s Staff became vacant after Deputy Chief of RA Presidential Staff Vigen Sargsyan was appointed the post of Chief of RA Presidential Staff instead of newly resigned Yerevan mayor Karen Karapetyan.

Haykakan Jamanak asked Alik Sargsyan: Mr. Sargsyan, we have received news of your dismissal. Would you like to confirm the veracity of this news?

They too are calling me and telling me, [but] no one has told me anything official. They told me too — the entire city is talking about this.

You haven’t met with [Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan, you haven’t spoken with him?

I met with him today; I informed him about my work as usual; I left, all was well — there was nothing [out of the ordinary]. The situation is normal, peaceful; I have no such problem.

So where is this news being disseminated from and why?

I can’t respond to anything. I am in service as usual. I will be by his [Serzh Sargsyan] side till the end. Irrespective of whether he transfers me to a new post or not, all the same, I will be by his side till the end. I stand by no one else’s side. I will work with him till the end — even if I’m not working, I am loyal to him and will stand by his side. Even if I won’t be working, even if he dismisses me, I will serve by his side till the end. I know nothing. I have neither the need nor the intention to transfer — nor will I ever resent him. It happens, one day you have to transfer; no position is eternal — one day you’re appointed, the next you’re transferred. Or one day they dismiss you; it’s normal. Even if such a thing were to happen, still I am very glad; I am grateful; the man always trusted me.